If only I had enough faith
How much faith is enough? This is a dangerous topic because it creates such a divide. However, I feel like it is one I need to say at least a few words about.
On a couple of occasions, Jesus spoke to the disciples about faith. In Matthew 17, they had failed when it came to the demonic. When they asked Jesus why they had failed, His answer was their little faith. He told them that if they had the faith of a tiny mustard seed, even mountains could not stand in their way.
The thing that throws us is that we think that it is the amount of faith that is the issue. But Jesus was not talking about an amount of faith that would be enough. He simply said that they had failed because of their little faith and that faith the size of a mustard seed would move mountains. What does this mean? All we need to get what we want or need is a small amount of faith?
I do not believe that Jesus was trying to quantify a necessary amount of faith for the miraculous. An amount of faith is not the issue. As He put it, only a tiny amount is needed. Meaning what? It is the fact of faith that is needed. That is why it is just a miniscule amount. Faith is enough.
We are in a relationship with God through His son Jesus. This is the God of omnipotence and omniscience and omnipresence. God of all power who knows all and is in all places. These are the dimensions of who He is. But we are in a relationship with Him. He is our father. We are His children. He loves me more than I love my children, and I can tell you, I love my children more than I can even explain. God loves me more. As someone once said, “to infinity and beyond…”
This God who loves us also dispenses grace and mercy. He knows our every need and hurt. What He needs from me is just a seed of faith in our relationship, just a seed of trust in His Hand of grace and mercy. He just needs me connected to His provision by the tiniest sliver of faith.
It is not the amount that counts. It is the tiny seed connecting me to His hand and trusting in His love and provision.
I cannot say I understand all that this implies. Why does God do what He does when He does it and for what reason? Sometimes I just do not know. But it is not for me to worry about. It is for me to trust in Him because I am His and He loves me. To trust Him because we are connected. And He will hear when I call.
